Precurved gastric band

Abstract

A low pressure, high volume gastric band includes a balloon shaped and dimensioned to circumscribe the stomach at a predetermined location and a belt extending about the balloon. The gastric band is precurved extend about the stomach and the balloon exhibits 360 degree coverage about the stomach.

1. A low pressure, high volume gastric band, comprising:
 a balloon shaped and dimensioned to circumscribe the stomach at a predetermined location; 
 a belt including a first end with a first latching member and a second end with a second latching member, the first latching member and the second latching member being shaped and dimensioned for selective engagement, the belt extends about and is connected to the balloon, wherein the belt includes an inner surface and an outer surface and the balloon includes an inner surface shaped and dimensioned for engaging a stomach wall and an outer surface shaped and dimensioned for coupling with a surface of the belt; 
 the balloon including a longitudinally extending groove formed along the outer surface of the balloon, the groove being shaped and dimensioned to receive the belt; 
 wherein the gastric band is precurved to extend about the stomach. 
 
   
   
     2. The gastric band according to  claim 1 , wherein the balloon is precurved. 
   
   
     3. The gastric band according to  claim 2 , wherein the balloon is a low pressure, high volume balloon. 
   
   
     4. The gastric band according to  claim 2 , wherein the belt is precurved. 
   
   
     5. The gastric band according to  claim 1 , wherein the balloon is a precurved, low pressure, high volume balloon exhibiting minimal folds or creases when extending about the stomach. 
   
   
     6. The gastric band according to  claim 1 , wherein the belt and the balloon are composed of different materials. 
   
   
     7. The gastric band according to  claim 1 , wherein the belt and the balloon are composed of the same material. 
   
   
     8. The gastric band according to  claim 1 , wherein the balloon exhibits 360 degree coverage about the stomach. 
   
   
     9. The gastric band according to  claim 1 , wherein the balloon exhibits no folds or creases upon evacuation. 
   
   
     10. The gastric band according to  claim 1 , wherein a layer of material is positioned between the belt and the balloon, the layer of material including an uncured material in which a reinforcing structure is incorporated for coupling the band and balloon during manufacture. 
   
   
     11. A method for applying a low pressure, high volume gastric band composed of a balloon shaped and dimensioned to circumscribe the stomach at a predetermined location, a belt including a first end with a first latching member and a second end with a second latching member, the first latching member and the second latching member being shaped and dimensioned for selective engagement, the belt extends about and is connected to the balloon, wherein the belt includes an inner surface and an outer surface and the balloon includes an inner surface shaped and dimensioned for engaging a stomach wall and an outer surface shaped and dimensioned for coupling with a surface of the belt and has a maximum fill volume, the balloon including a longitudinally extending groove formed along the outer surface of the balloon, the groove being shaped and dimensioned to receive the belt, the method comprising the following steps:
 positioning a gastric band about the stomach; 
 filling the balloon with a volume which is less than the maximum fill volume. 
 
   
   
     12. The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the balloon has a maximum capacity of approximately 18 cc. 
   
   
     13. The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the balloon is filled with a volume of approximately 9 cc. 
   
   
     14. The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the balloon is precurved. 
   
   
     15. The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the balloon is a low pressure, high volume balloon. 
   
   
     16. The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the belt is precurved. 
   
   
     17. The method according to  claim 11 , wherein a layer of material is positioned between the belt and the balloon, the layer of material including an uncured material in which a reinforcing structure is incorporated for coupling the band and balloon during manufacture.